On March 31, the Eleventh Circuit refused to hear Libertarian Party of Georgia v Cowen, 21-13199. This is the case that challenges the Georgia law that has kept all minor party candidates off the ballot for regularly-scheduled elections for U.S. House since it was passed in 1943.
The party will now ask for U.S. Supreme Court review.
On March 30, the Mississippi legislature voted not to adjourn on April 3, but to remain longer. This will give the legislature a chance to pass additional bills, including the bill to restore the initiative process. See this story.
On March 31, Alabama state officials informed the U.S. Supreme Court that they don’t intend to respond to the cert petition in Libertarian Party of Alabama v Merrill, 21-1288. This is the case over access to the list of registered voters. Alabama gives a free list to the qualified parties but charges unqualified parties $35,000 for the list.
On March 28, a North Carolina Superior Court issued an opinion in Carolina Success Initiative v Moore. The vote was 2-1. The majority ruled that the state constitution protects the right to register to vote for ex-felons who have been released from prison. The ruling will permit 70,000 persons to register. See this story. The North Carolina Constitution says “Elections shall be free and equal.” That is the same provision that recently struck down partisan gerrymanders in the state.
On March 29, the Maine legislature passed LD 859, which lets towns use ranked choice voting for their own elections. The vote in the Senate was 18-13. In the House, it was 69-63. Thanks to Fairvote for this news.
